Edit This Favorite

Name:

Category:

Share:

YesNo, Keep Private

What about Member Bob Levinson

Our membership decries the fact that Society member Robert “Bob” Levinson was not released in January with the other Americans being held captive in Iran. Bob disappeared in March 2007 from Kish Island in Iran, where he was working. According to some reports, he was last seen in the custody of officials of Iran’s Interior Ministry. Bob is a decorated, retired FBI Agent and a lifelong public servant. This month he becomes the longest held American captive ever. The FBI has made the return of Bob to his loving family a major investigative priority, personally supported by both Directors Mueller and Comey – with significant dedicated resources and a $5 million reward for his safe return.

The negotiated nuclear deal with Iran is complicated but we do know that much was given up by the United States to include seven Iranian criminals being held here, 1.7 billion dollars, and numerous economic sanctions against Iran. Why was Bob’s release not made a pre-condition of any deal with Iran? Why was he not included by Iran with the other Americans who were released? We are urging all of our members to write and call their Congressional representatives to ensure that they bring all possible pressure on the White House and the State Department to make Bob’s release a pre-condition before any additional relief from economic or other sanctions are accorded Iran. Bob should not have been left behind and we need all of you to build the pressure in Washington to bring Bob home. Please use the sample letter to write to your members of Congress, personalizing where appropriate. Thank you for our help!

Nine years without answers is unacceptable. What about Bob? #WhatAboutBob?

Senator Bill Nelson introduced S.Resolution 99 in March of 2015 calling on the Government of Iran to fulfill its promises of assistance in the case of Robert Levinson, the longest held United States civilian in our Nation’s history.

On 2/11/2016 This resolution was agreed to in the Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the title and an amended preamble by unanimous consent.

It currently reads:

S. RES. 99

Calling on the Government of Iran to fulfill its promises of assistance in
the case of Robert Levinson, the longest held United States civilian
in our Nation’s history.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

MARCH 10, 2015

Mr. NELSON (for himself and Mr. RUBIO) submitted the following resolution;
which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

RESOLUTION

Calling on the Government of Iran to fulfill its promises of assistance in the case of Robert Levinson, the longest held United States civilian in our Nation’s history.

Whereas United States citizen Robert Levinson is a retired agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), a resident of Coral Springs, Florida, the husband of Christine Levinson, and father of their seven children;

Whereas Robert Levinson traveled from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to Kish Island, Iran, on March 8, 2007;

Whereas, after traveling to Kish Island and checking into the Hotel Maryam, Robert Levinson disappeared on March 9, 2007;

Whereas, in December 2007, Robert Levinson’s wife, Christine, traveled to Kish Island to retrace Mr. Levinson’s steps and met with officials of the Government of Iran who pledged to help in the investigation;

Whereas, for more than eight years, the United States Government has continually pressed the Government of Iran to provide any information on the whereabouts of Robert Levinson and to help ensure his prompt and safe return to his family;

Whereas officials of the Government of Iran promised their continued assistance to the relatives of Robert Levinson
during the visit of the family to the Islamic Republic of Iran in December 2007;

Whereas, in November 2010, the Levinson family received a video of Mr. Levinson in captivity, representing the first proof of life since his disappearance and providing some initial indications that he was being held somewhere in southwest Asia;

Whereas, in April 2011, the Levinson family received a series of pictures of Mr. Levinson, which provided further indications
that he was being held somewhere in southwest Asia;

Whereas Secretary of State John Kerry stated on August 28, 2013, ‘‘The United States respectfully asks the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to work cooperatively with us in our efforts to help U.S. citizen Robert Levinson.’’;

Whereas, on September 28, 2013, during the first direct phone conversation between the leaders of the United States and Iran since 1979, President Barack Obama raised the case of Robert Levinson to President of Iran Hassan Rouhani and urged the President of Iran to help locate Mr. Levinson and reunite him with his family;

Whereas, on August 29, 2014, Secretary of State Kerry again stated that the United States ‘‘respectfully request the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran work cooperatively with us to find Mr. Levinson and bring him home’’;

Whereas the United States Government is currently engaged in regular, direct negotiations with the Government of Iran over its nuclear program;

Whereas March 9, 2015, marks the 2,922nd day since Mr. Levinson’s disappearance, and he is now the longest held
United States civilian in our Nation’s history; and

Whereas the Federal Bureau of Investigation has announced a $5,000,000 reward for information leading to Mr. Levinson’s safe return: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate—
(1) recognizes that Robert Levinson is the longest held United States civilian in our Nation’s history;
(2) notes the pledges by current officials of the Government of Iran to provide their Government’s assistance in the case of
Robert Levinson;
(3) urges the Government of Iran, as a humanitarian gesture, to intensify its cooperation on the case of Robert Levinson
and to immediately share the results of its investigation into the disappearance of Robert Levinson with the United
States Government;
(4) urges the President and the allies of the United States to continue to raise with officials of the Government of Iran the
case of Robert Levinson at every opportunity, notwithstanding serious disagreements the United States Government
has with the Government of Iran on a broad array of issues, including human rights, the nuclear program of Iran, the
Middle East peace process, regional stability, and international terrorism; and
(5) expresses sympathy to the family of Robert Levinson for their anguish and expresses hope that their ordeal can be
brought to an end in the near future.

------------------------------------------------------------

H. Res 148 is a companion bill which was referred to the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Middle East and North Africa.

It is expected that the Resolution will be passed and sent to the White House for signature.